Monday, February 18, 2008

Holik Might Be Good Fit For Senators

Chris Gratton's name has come up in rumours linking him to the Ottawa Senators and it's no secret that GM Bryan Murray would like to add some more size to the lineup after beefing up the blueline with Mike Commodore.

Over in Atlanta, 6"4, 230 pound Bobby Holik just might become available at the trade deadline and the impending unrestricted free agent comes with two things that Chris Gratton simply doesn't have - 2 Stanley Cup rings.

The only snag for the Senators is that Atlanta GM Don Waddell is in a bind. His team is only two points out of eighth place in the East and two points behind Carolina for tops in the South East division. On the surface, that doesn't sound like a team who will be selling come the trade deadline but Atlanta is in a strange position with Marian Hossa who has basically let it be known that he won't re-sign in Atlanta this summer.

That probably means that Waddell will have to move him this month and that might spark a bit of a sell-off, especially if Atlanta falters in the next week. Chances are the Thrashers will hold on to players like Holik and Mark Recchi and try to get an impact roster player for Hossa to stay in the playoff picture.

But Bobby Holik would certainly be a better acquisition than the journeyman Gratton or a smallish (but feisty) centre like Mike Comrie.